Tape program control

ABSTRACT

A control device for sequential control of a process or machine which includes a means for reading perforated tape having thereon codes representative of alphabetic, numerical or any other symbols. The control includes means to interpret these codes and means to respond to these codes to either energize or de-energize a plurality of outputs, means to further condition the control to accept only selected input signals appearing on a plurality of input terminals, and means to operate the reading means only in response to a preselected input signal.

United States. Patent 1191 Sangster et a1.

[ 1 March 6, 1973 TAPE PROGRAM CONTROL 3,414,787 12/1968 Reuteler et a1...318/570 [75] Inventors: Arlon G. Sangster; Ch s B. 3,181,121 4/1965Losch et al ..340/l47 P Pickering, both of Sterling; Thomas J. McNamara,Auburn, all of Mass.

-' Primary Exammer-Thomas A. Robmson [73] Assignee: Jamesbury. Corp.,Worcester, Mass. A sh ff n & Min [22] Filed: March 1, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 119,888 [57] ABSTRACT Relaled Applicafion A control device forsequential control of a process or [63] Continuation of Ser. No.783,866, Dec. 16, 1968, machme whlch {ncludes a means for reading Pabandoned. forated tape having thereon codes representative of Ialphabetic, numerical or any other symbols. The con- 1 52 U.S. c1..340/147 P, 235/6111 R, 318/569, includes means to interpret thesecodes and 317/139 means to respond to these codes to either energize or51 1111.01. ..H04q 3/04 -ssrsi p u it f 91 52.9 1193 .1 .0..f1 5th [58]Field of Search, .."267147111?3'1875'612;570; 'q Control to accept onlyselected input 569; 235/6111; 317/137, 139, 134 signals appearing on aplurality of input terminals, and H ..-.v.r-.d. mh. 1 means to operatethe reading means only in response 56] References Cited to a preselectedinput signal.

fUTQTTEI'S'fiTXTESIPKTENT? v v U 3,069,608 1 12/1962 Forrester et a1..3l8/570 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MANUAL LAMP CONTROL DISPLAY HIGHGNAL y r To 5| OUTPUT LOAD VOLTAGE LEVEL L TAPE TAPE TAPE. CONTROLINPUTS *T ADAPTER START' READER READER LOG c DRIVE LOW CONTROL VOLTAGEINPUTS I RUN STOP 4 END OF BLOCK MEMORY PRESELECT TAPE PROGRAM CONTROLThis application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.783,866, filed Dec. 16, 1968, titled TAPE PROGRAM CONTROL, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In devices for the automatic control ofcycles for operating and production machines such as machine tools,plastic molding machines, etc., a series of operations in exact sequencemust be programmed. These operations typically consist of the functionsof stopping and starting motors, energizing and deenergizing relays,solenoids and timers. The control of these functions is by anarrangement of relays interlocked and arranged to produce the requiredsequence of operations. The initiating signals are produced by theoperation of push buttons, limit switches, contacts and similar means.The necessary arrangement of relays and switches is usually very complexand is very difficult to design. Due to the complexity of the generalnature of the problem, such controls are de-bugged after actual assemblyeven when designed by engineers skilled in the art, and in many casesthe control means has to be completely revised or at least gone over tomake sure there are no breaks, when the control is actually used priorto its assembly at the place of production. Even then, there aremalfunctions in some cases.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method ofcontrolling sequential events by means of a program coded on perforatedtape. Since the interconnections and the relationship between the inputsand outputs is'governed by the program on the punched tape, the controlprovides an extremely flexible and universal means of controlling a widevariety of operational cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a devicefor sequentially controlling the energizing and deenergizing of variouselements. A tape reader has connected thereto a plurality of inputs.Also connected to the tape reader are a plurality of outputs which areconnected to the various elements which are to be energized anddeenergized. A tape having various control signals recorded thereon isread by the tape reader in order to cause the'energization of certainelements, the deenergization of other elements and the halting of thereading of the tape until a signal appears over a preselected inputline. Thus, reading of the tape may sequentially energize element A,deenergize element B and halt the reading of the tape thereby preventingthe generation of further energizationv and deenergization controlsignals until a signal appears on input line number one at which timefurther signals are read from the tape. Signals appearing on other thanthepreselected input line will not cause further signals to be read fromthe tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective viewillustrating the housing for the taped program control device;

FIG. 2 shows a sample program; 7

FIG. 3 is a block circuit diagram for the device.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, thereference numeral 10 indicates a cable leading into the housing 12. Thecable 10 may contain any number of input lines from what may be referredto as the primary electric actuators such as push buttons, limitswitches, etc. In the housing 12 there is a tape reader or the like 14for pre-programmed tape 16, and a series of energizing devices 18 whichare controlled from the tape by the tape reader.

The reference numeral 20 indicates a cable which contains a series ofoutput connections for what may be referred to as secondary electricalactuators, solenoids, etc., which actually run the machine in question.

In order to program a cycle, the steps of the cycle are numbered inchronological order and the required contact opening or closures at eachstep are indicated by the upper and lower case alphabetic characters Athrough Z (less I and 0). An upper case A energizes a given output linewhile a lower case a deenergizes that output line. A typical tapeprogram would be as shown in FIG. 2. Present on the tape, but notprinted on the manuscript, are end-of-block code at the end of each lineand upper case and lower case codes which appear between changes fromupper to lower case characters or vice-versa.

A typical block of characters would read as follows: (see line 8, FIG.2). The lower case code (not shown but the first code in the block)would operate an internal circuit to open the contacts associated withthe alphabetic characters immediately following; codes f and n. (Theupper case code (again not shown but located on the tape between n andA) would operate an internal circuit to close the contacts associatedwith the alphabetic characters immediately following; codes AKLX.

The slash and the two following numerical codes open an electrical gateto allow the equipment to accept the initiate impulse next appearing online 13. The end-of-block code (non-print on manuscript) stops the tapemotion and terminates the block.

As illustrated, this block of information has opened a selected outputgroup of contacts (I and n), closed another selected output group ofcontacts (A, K, L and X and armed the control to accept the nextinitiate signal appearing on line 13. Thus, the sequences of openingsand closures can be either opened or closed in any timed relationshipwith any other contact. With reference to the diagram, FIG. 3, the tapestart logic will accept low voltage inputs directly or high voltageinputs indirectly through a signal level adapter" which conditions thesignal to low voltage into the tape start logic.

The Tape reader drive control" will either cause the reader to run orstop either manually when selected by an appropriate switch or:

1. Reader will run when the selected signal control (preselect line frommemory) and the selected input signal is present.

2. Reader will stop when end of block signal is 7 received from Decoder"3 The line from the Manual Control" to Tape Start Logic indicates thatthe reader can be operated either one step or one block manually asselected by appropriate switches.

The Tape Reader" is a reader adapted to operate from the necessary inputsignals and which will produce output signals from the tape.

The Decoder translates the tape hole signals into groupings representingvarious codes (numbers, letter, end of block, etc.) The output workingsignals (upper and lower case alphabetic characters) go to the OutputControl. The slash and preselect numerals go to the memory" and the endof block code goes to the Tape Reader Drive Control.

The Output Control goes to the loads being controlled turning on theloads indicated by upper case alphabetic characters, and turning offloads indicated by lower case alphabetic characters. The Output controlalso operates a lamp display indicating visually the on or off state ofthese loads.

The memory stores a one or more digit numerical value used to preselectthe next acceptable input signal. As stated above, the tape readergenerates output signals when an input signal appears on the preselectedline.

It is believed that it will be seen that this invention provides thefollowing novel advantages:

The invention provides for the application of a perforated tape as aprogram in combination with the input signals and the output energizerswhich are open or closed, according to the energize and deenergizecontrol signals as delivered. Each input connection can be used overagain in a single cycle as often as desired.

Furthermore, the tape blocks are programmed to accept only a certainpredetermined signal from the input, and since it operates extremelyfast, signals can be placed in proper sequence with veritablesplit-second timing for selection of output devices to be energized.

One of the novel devices herein can be installed as a master to controlslave similar devices.

By the use of upper and lower case alphabetical characters to turn onand off selected load connections, see FIG. 2, a fool-proof veryefficient as well as relatively simple tape controls a large number ofoperations with the least programming operations possible.

We claim:

1. Sequence control means for use with a storage member having controlinformation stored therein for controlling the energization anddeenergization of selected elements comprising means for retrieving saidstored control information, a plurality of inputs connected to saidretrieving means, a plurality of outputs connected to said retrievingmeans, means for generating an energizing signal on-one of saidplurality of outputs in response to retrieval of certain controlinformation from said storage member, means for generating adeenergizing signal on said one of said plurality of outputs in responseto retrieval'of other control information from said storage member,means for preselecting one of said pluralityof inputs in response toretrieving preselect control information from said storage member, meansfor inhibiting said retrieving means from further retrieval ofinformation in response to the retrieval of said preselect controlinformation from said storage member, and means for conditioning saidretrieving means to be activated for further information retrieval by asignal over said preselected one of said plurality of inputs and not tobe activated for such further retrieval by a signal over a nonpreselected one of said plurality of inputs.

Sequence control means for use with a record medium having controlinformation recorded thereon for controlling the energization anddeenergization of selected elements comprising means for reading saidrecorded control information, means for transporting said record mediumpast said reading means, a plurality of inputs connected to saidtransporting means, a plurality of outputs connected to said readingmeans, means for generating an energizing signal on one of saidplurality of outputs in response to reading certain control informationrecorded on the record medium, means for generating a deenergizingsignal on said one of said plurality of outputs in response to readingother control information recorded on said record medium, means fordeactivating said transporting means in response to deactivation controlinformation read from said record medium, means for preselecting one ofsaid plurality of inputs in response to reading preselect controlinformation recorded on said record medium, and means for conditioningsaid transporting means to be activated by a signal over saidpreselected one of said plurality of inputs and not to be activated by asignal over a non preselected one of said plurality of inputs.

3. Sequence control means for use with a record medium having controlinformation recorded thereon for controlling the energization anddeenergization of selected elements comprising means for reading saidrecorded control information, means for transporting said record mediumpast said reading means, a plurality of inputs connected to saidtransporting means, a plurality of outputs connected to said readingmeans, said recorded control information being representative of upperand lower case alphabetical letters, said recorded control informationbeing further representative of numerical quantities, means forgenerating an energizing signal on one of said plurality of outputs inresponse to reading a predetermined letter in one or the other of itsupper or lower case forms, means for generating a deenergizing signal onsaid one of said plurality of outputs in response to reading saidpredetermined letter in its other case form, means for deactivating saidtransporting means in response to reading a numerical quantity, meansfor preselecting one of said plurality of inputs in response to readinga preselect numerical quantity and means for conditioning saidtransporting means to be activated by a signal over said preselected oneof said plurality of inputs and not to be activated by a signal over anon preselected one of said plurality of inputs.

' a a: :s a:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0i CORRECTION Patent No,317191926 D ted March 6, 1973 InVent0r(s) Sangster et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 8: add after the word "slash" Signed and sealed this 23rdday of April 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Q C. MARSHALL DAMN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents l FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC scans9 IJ.S. GOVERNMENTPRINHNG OFFICE 1 I969 0-366-334 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Patent No, 3!7l9!926 D ed March 6, 1973 Inventor(s)Sangster et a1 It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 8: add after the word "slash" Signed and sealed this 23rdda of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETC1&IER,JR. C. MARSIIALL DAL-{N I Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 O365-31A lFORM P0405) uscoMwoc sows-ps9

1. Sequence control means for use with a storage member having controlinformation stored therein for controlling the energization anddeenergization of selected elements comprising means for retrieving saidstored control information, a plurality of inputs connected to saidretrieving means, a plurality of outputs connected to said retrievingmeans, means for generating an energizing signal on one of saidplurality of outputs in response to retrieval of certain controlinformation from said storage member, means for generating adeenergizing signal on said one of said plurality of outputs in responseto retrieval of other control information from said storage member,means for preselecting one of said plurality of inputs in response toretrieving preselect control information from said storage member, meansfor inhibiting said retrieving means from further retrieval ofinformation in response to the retrieval of said preselect controlinformation from said storage member, and means for conditioning saidretrieving means to be activated for further information retrieval by asignal over said preselected one of said plurality of inputs and not tobe activated for such further retrieval by a signal over a nonpreselected one of said plurality of inputs.
 1. Sequence control meansfor use with a storage member having control information stored thereinfor controlling the energization and deenergization of selected elementscomprising means for retrieving said stored control information, aplurality of inputs connected to said retrieving means, a plurality ofoutputs connected to said retrieving means, means for generating anenergizing signal on one of said plurality of outputs in response toretrieval of certain control information from said storage member, meansfor generating a deenergizing signal on said one of said plurality ofoutputs in response to retrieval of other control information from saidstorage member, means for preselecting one of said plurality of inputsin response to retrieving preselect control information from saidstorage member, means for inhibiting said retrieving means from furtherretrieval of information in response to the retrieval of said preselectcontrol information from said storage member, and means for conditioningsaid retrieving means to be activated for further information retrievalby a signal over said preselected one of said plurality of inputs andnot to be activated for such further retrieval by a signal over a nonpreselected one of said plurality of inputs.
 2. Sequence control meansfor use with a record medium having control information recorded thereonfor controlling the energization and deenergization of selected elementscomprising means for reading said recorded control information, meansfor transporting said record medium past said reading means, a pluralityof inputs connected to said transporting means, a plurality of outputsconnected to said reading means, means for generating an energizingsignal on one of said plurality of outputs in response to readingcertain control information recorded on the record medium, means forgenerating a deenergizing signal on said one of said plurality ofoutputs in response to reading other control information recorded onsaid record medium, means for deactivating said transporting means inresponse to deactivation control information read from said recordmedium, means for preselecting one of said plurality of inputs inresponse to reading preselect control information recorded on saidrecord medium, and means for conditioning said transporting means to beactivated by a signal over said preselected one of said plurality ofinputs and not to be activated by a signal over a non preselected one ofsaid plurality of inputs.